2 Easy Ways to Turn Off Ring Camera in the App Temporarily

PDF download Download Article
An easy-to-follow guide on turning off recording for your Ring cameras
PDF download Download Article

Do you want to prevent your Ring camera from recording temporarily? Many other cameras will turn off if you simply unplug them from the wall, but most Ring cameras are wired into our homes and can't simply be unplugged. So what do you do then? This wikiHow article aims to answer that question by teaching you how to configure camera Modes to "disarmed" and disable motion detection recording on your Ring camera.

Things You Should Know

  • Use Modes to turn off motion recording on all your Ring cameras throughout your property or configure one camera to turn off motion recording.
  • To configure Modes, go to "☰ > Settings > Modes > Disarmed."
  • To turn off motion recording on a single camera, go to "☰ > Devices > the device you want to change > Motion Detection > Disable Motion Detection."
Section 1 of 3:

Configuring Modes to Disarmed

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/af\/Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/af\/Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-1.jpg\/v4-728px-Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Tap this app icon that looks like the word "ring" in white with an orange dot on the "i."
    • This method covers configuring all the cameras on your account. If you want to change how an individual camera behaves, go to Devices > Modes and configure the settings there.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/31\/Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/31\/Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This three-line menu icon is in the top left corner of your screen and will prompt a menu to slide out from the left.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cc\/Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cc\/Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's next to a gear icon near the middle of the menu.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/75\/Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/75\/Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This is under the "Location Settings" header where "Enable Modes" used to be.
    • If you haven't used Modes before, you need to tap Enable Modes first.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/63\/Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/63\/Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    All the motion recording settings will be toggled off so you don't have to worry that your camera will record your moving furniture on your patio!
    • The Live View still works, so anyone with the Ring app can still see you. [1]
    6. Advertisement
Section 2 of 3:

Disable Motion Detection

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fe\/Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fe\/Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Tap this app icon that looks like the word "ring" in white with an orange dot on the "i."
    • Use this method if you want to configure an individual camera to disable video recording.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e7\/Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e7\/Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-7.jpg\/v4-728px-Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This three-line menu icon is in the top left corner of your screen and will prompt a menu to slide out from the left.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/34\/Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/34\/Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-8.jpg\/v4-728px-Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will show you a list of all the devices on your account.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/36\/Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/36\/Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-9.jpg\/v4-728px-Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You'll see a bunch of tiles and different settings you can change for that camera.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0c\/Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0c\/Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-10.jpg\/v4-728px-Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    to turn it off
    iPhone Switch Off Icon
    {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/2\/25\/Iphoneswitchofficon.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/25\/Iphoneswitchofficon.png\/47px-Iphoneswitchofficon.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":294,"bigWidth":47,"bigHeight":30,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>I edited this screenshot of an iPhone icon\n<\/p><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a><br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    . If the switch is grey and pointing left, the feature is off.
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/03\/Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/03\/Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-11.jpg\/v4-728px-Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You'll have to confirm your action before the camera will stop recording when it senses motion.
    • To turn this feature back on, repeat these steps and tap the switch again to toggle it on. [2]
    • Although your camera will no longer record events, anyone with the Ring app and access to your network will be able to see the Live View.
    7. Advertisement
Section 3 of 3:

Disabling a Camera Without the App

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/33\/Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-12.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-12.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/33\/Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-12.jpg\/v4-728px-Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-12.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you don't have access to the app, you can turn off your camera by flipping the switch in the electrical box for the grid that your camera is attached to.
    • Beware that anything else on this grid will also lose power .
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e5\/Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-13.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-13.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e5\/Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-13.jpg\/v4-728px-Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-13.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You can also completely turn off the camera (recording and Live View) by disconnecting your router or modem. Without Wi-Fi, the camera can't function.
    • Beware that everything in your house that's dependent on the Wi-Fi network will also lose connection.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/61\/Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-14.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-14.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/61\/Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-14.jpg\/v4-728px-Turn-Off-Ring-Camera-Step-14.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Unable to turn off the power from the box in your house or the Wi-Fi? You can use a physical barrier to prevent the camera from seeing you.
    • This would be like putting a piece of paper over the camera lens. For cameras that move, you might need to tape the paper to the camera so it doesn't fall off.
    4. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.ring.com/hc/en-us/articles/360036107792-Control-All-your-Ring-Devices-with-Modes
      2. ↑ https://support.ring.com/hc/en-us/articles/360021797252-Using-the-Motion-Detection-Control-to-Disable-Recording

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 68,123 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement